Energy metabolism and adenine nucleotide degradation in twitch-stimulated rat hindlimb during ischemia-reperfusion

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to characterize twitch tension and energy metabolism in ischemic, stimulated rat hindlimb to determine its suitability as a rapid time course model of ischemia-reperfusion injury. After 15 min equilibration, rat hindlimbs were stimulated (1-Hz twitches, 0.2 ms pulse duration, 15 V) for 5 min (control, n = 8). This twitch protocol was maintained throughout the ischemic and reperfusion periods. The control period was followed by 5, 20, or 40 min of ischemia (ligation of femoral artery and vein) or 40 min of ischemia with 0, 5, or 20 min of reperfusion (removal of ligature). The soleus [89% slow oxidative (SO)] and the white gastrocnemius [WG; 91% fast glycolytic (FG)] were analyzed for phosphocreatine (PCr), adenine nucleotides, glycogen, and glycolytic intermediates. Ischemia was characterized by progressive decreases in twitch tension, high-energy phosphagens, total adenine nucleotides (TAN), and glycogen. Also, energy metabolism was altered at a greater rate in WG than in soleus. Reperfusion resulted in a recovery in PCr and lactate, with little change in ATP, TAN, or glycogen. The inability to resynthesize adenine nucleotides and glycogen during reperfusion is characteristic of damaged skeletal muscle. The extent of the metabolic alterations in SO and FG muscles during twitch stimulation was comparable with previously reported noncontracting ischemia protocols of 2-4 and 4-7 h in length, respectively. The present study demonstrates that twitch stimulation of ischemic skeletal muscle is a useful model for inducing rapid metabolic changes and an ischemic insult comparable to prolonged noncontracting ischemia-reperfusion models.